BBVA Compass officials today announced a multiyear marketing agreement whereby BBVA Compass will become the title sponsor of the former Papajohns.com Bowl (currently known as the Birmingham Bowl).

In addition to title sponsorship of the BBVA Compass Bowl, the agreement also provides BBVA Compass secondary sponsorships in three of ESPN's other Bowl games including the Texas Bowl in Houston; the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth; and the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque.

"The agreement with ESPN will allow us a channel where we can connect with our customers' passion," said Manolo Sanchez, BBVA U.S. Country Manager and president and CEO of BBVA Compass. "For many people, their favorite sports team is a central part of who they are and college football fans are among the most passionate fans in the world. At BBVA Compass, we want to provide fans an opportunity to participate in what they love. The BBVA Compass Bowl provides us with a great opportunity to enhance the economic impact to the city of Birmingham while the agreement also allows us to reach fans in three other key Western markets that we serve."

"We are extremely pleased to have formed this strategic alliance with BBVA Compass in order to continue the growth and success of our first four years," said Mark Meadows, ESPN executive director of the BBVA Compass Bowl. "The prospect of working with a Birmingham based corporation and the willingness of their staff to explore new marketing strategies will pay dividends for the BBVA Compass Bowl for years to come."

Earlier this year, BBVA, the parent company of BBVA Compass, announced a multiyear marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), whereby it will serve as the Official Bank of the NBA, the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the NBA Development League (NBA D-League) in the United States, Spain and Puerto Rico. These deals in addition to its sponsorship of La Liga BBVA, Spain's top professional soccer league, are aimed at positioning BBVA as the "Bank of Sports" with enhanced visibility that reaches fans and consumers around the world through sports.